We'll bring you all of the latest news and views from the sport as well as a look back at the weekend's pre-season fixtures.

The Super League campaign is fast approaching and this is the place to be for all of your rugby league updates.

Joe Westerman is keen to earn a Hull FC extension beyond the end of 2019. The back-rower is under contract for this season on his second spell with the club.

Elsewhere, it's reported that Hull KR have partnered with Toronto Wolfpack to host one of the Canadians' games this year. The pair battled it out on Saturday at KCOM Craven Park with Rovers winning 24-14.

That's all for today

A little earlier finish than normal but you will see us bright and early in the morning!

We’ll have a piece to come later this evening on ten Super League talking points - with just ten days to go until the new season kicks off.

Let’s have a recap of all of the stories you may have missed.

Thanks for joining us!

Hull KR's Will Dagger in training. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

15:41Gareth Westmorland

Look who's back at Widnes

15:14Gareth Westmorland

Good news for Featherstone

Featherstone’s PNG international Ase Boas and World Club Challenge winner Cameron King have been granted visas and are both expected to arrive in the UK within the week.

SUPERSTAR: PNG Hunters half-back Ase Boas. (Image: Getty Images)

Boas, whose brother Watson impressed in his first match at the LD Nutrition Stadium, will add to head coach Ryan Carr’s options at halfback for the 2019 season.

King meanwhile, will bolster the ranks at hooker and provide Watson Boas competition in the goal-kicking department.

We are delighted that both Ase and Cameron’s visas have been granted and that they will soon be joining us in the UK.

They will give a significant boost to the squad Ryan is preparing for this season’s Championship campaign, and following the display put on show by the other new arrivals in yesterday’s game, we are looking strong.

14:03Gareth Westmorland

Catalans make a statement after Cup announcement

I’m really happy to announce that we will participate to this prestigious competition in 2019. After weeks of open and honest discussions with Ralph Rimmer, we have indeed reached a compromise with the RFL.

13:40KEY EVENT

Good news for the Dragons, the game and Coral

The RFL have confirmed that 2018 Wembley winners Catalans Dragons will defend the newly-titled Coral Challenge Cup, after reaching an agreement with the French club to end recent uncertainty about their participation.

The game’s governing body took the decision to ask the Dragons for a £500,000 bond to defend the trophy after suffering an £800,000 shortfall in its financial budget for the 2018 Challenge Cup.

Just 50,672 people watched the Dragons’ historic win over Warrington at Wembley as the unusual move was made in an attempt to avoid a repeat.

However, they will enter the competition at the Sixth Round stage in May, having finished in the top eight of the Super League in 2018, after coming to an agreement with the RFL. The teams who finished in the bottom four will enter in the Fifth Round in April.

13:06Gareth Westmorland

Not long to go now...

11:57Gareth Westmorland

Chester a fan of the new rules

Wakefield coach Chris Chester has dismissed fears his heavyweight side will be disadvantaged by the new interchange rules.

As part of a raft of rule changes for the new season, clubs will be allowed to make eight substitutions instead of 10, a move designed to exacerbate the fatigue factor and open up games in the last 20 minutes.

Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester (Image: SWpix)

Trinity have one of the biggest packs in Super League, with overseas front rowers David Fifita and Pauli Pauli both weighing in at over 18 stones, but Chester remains unconcerned.

I’m a fan of the new rules. I think it’s going to be very exciting. I think you’ll see a lot more expansive play.

It’s going to have a big effect on a lot of teams regarding the interchange, with bigger blokes having to play bigger minutes.

We’ve got big blokes but on Boxing Day Craig Kopczak played the first 40 minutes straight, Tinirau Arona 30-odd minutes, Craig Huby can play 60, Anthony England can play big minutes while both back rowers and (hookers) Tyler Randell and Kyle Wood can all play 80.

We’ll be able to carry one big bloke, whether we’ll be able to carry Pauli Pauli, Keegan Hirst and David Fifita at the same time, we’ll have to have a look at that as the season goes on.

The interchanges don’t worry me one little bit.

11:43KEY EVENT

Dagger in Sheens' plans despite loan rumours

Hull KR have refuted speculation that Will Dagger could leave the club on loan this month.

The 19-year-old, who impressed in Rovers’ pre-season wins over Widnes Vikings and Toronto Wolfpack, has been challenging for the full-back spot in Adam Quinlan’s absence.

Replacing Chris Atkin in the position for periods of the friendly victories, Dagger provided a spark from the back to put him in contention for a spot in the upcoming derby opener against Hull FC.

Hull KR's Will Dagger in training. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

Whilst the youngster remains firmly in Tim Sheens’ plans for the upcoming month at least, given the lack of cover at full-back and the halves, should Danny McGuire or Josh Drinkwater receive an injury, it’s not stopped online speculation mounting.

11:29Gareth Westmorland

Missed any of our KR coverage?

10:51

Hardaker relieved

Zak Hardaker expressed his delight and relief after making a try-scoring first appearance for Wigan in their 28-18 pre-season friendly victory at Salford.The former England full-back, who has completed a 14-month ban for cocaine use, also kicked four out of five conversions on his first appearance since September 2017. He told the club website:

I really enjoyed it. It’s been a long up and down road to get to where I am today but I’ve been training really hard since I joined Wigan and just to get the jersey on and play 80 minutes today, with family, friends and Wigan fans cheering me on was really good and I’m really happy.

I was a bit nervous and apprehensive before the game about certain stuff, but that has all been put to bed and now I’m happy. It was always going to be a box-ticker, just to get out there, just to play rugby. I was quite giddy on the bus here, inside I was really excited.

Now I’ve got two weeks to go back and work on some things that I could probably improve on from there. I know it’s a friendly but I do criticise myself quite a lot.

10:39

World Cup announcement

The confirmed venues for the 2021 World Cup will be announced next Tuesday, January 29th it has been confirmed.

We’re expecting the KCOM Stadium to be a host venue, but for which round of games is still in question.

As ever we’ll bring you the news as it breaks next Tuesday from 9am.

10:11KEY EVENT

Westerman wants FC contract extension

Hull FC star Joe Westerman has reiterated his desire to earn a long-term contract at the Black and Whites beyond 2019.

The back-rower spoke to Hull Live last October regarding his wish to remain at the KCOM Stadium after this year, and relayed those comments to League Express too.

Joe Westerman of Hull FC

Here’s what he told the Mail three months ago.

I have to do everything the best I can with me only having a year on my contract.

I want to get another contract here again and this is where I want to be.

I feel like there is plenty in the tank. I have been around a long time and when you get injuries like this you worry but I feel better already. I’m pleased to be here another year but I have to play well enough to earn another contract.

09:53KEY EVENT

KR come to Toronto's rescue in KCOM Craven Park double-header?

Toronto have never been shy in revealing their ambitions to change the landscape of transatlantic rugby league.

The Wolfpack have gone from strength to strength in recent years but narrowly missed out on promotion last October.

Nevertheless, under new coach Brian McDermott, the Canadians once again want to push the boundaries in the sport.

They had planned to take a trip to Belgrade to play a Championship clash in 2019 but League Express has reported that the plan has been scuppered.

In step Hull KR.

Hull KR's Jimmy Keinhorst celebrates his try. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

The Robins, who enjoyed a competitive 24-14 win over the Wolfpack on Saturday afternoon, are teaming up with Toronto to host their second-tier clash against Batley Bulldogs prior to the top-flight contest against Catalans Dragons on March 17, League Express report.

The plans are subject to RFL clearance but let’s hope this gets the green light.

09:41Paul Clarke

Sneyd delighted with FC comeback

Marc Sneyd had a rough end to the 2018 season but it’s a new year and the Hull FC star scrum-half looks a new man.

It may not have shown on the field just yet but the 27-year-old was delighted post-match after the Black and Whites’ 28-18 defeat at St Helens.

(Image: Hull Daily Mail)

Not with the result or even the performance, but his own progression after returning from injury. Sneyd dealt with knee problems last season which restricted him to just 16 games and even just playing at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday was a milestone.

I was happy. The main thing for me was to get through the game with no pains in my knee.

It was about getting match fitness as well which you cannot replicate in training. I came through unscathed and I got about 60 or 70 minutes under my belt as well.

09:40Gareth Westmorland

Sheens' KR selections made no easier

Tim Sheens says his Hull KR selection headaches have not waned after another strong pre-season win over Toronto Wolfpack.

The Robins enjoyed a competitive 24-14 victory against the Canadians at KCOM Craven Park with 22 players getting a run-out.

There’s just 11 days to go until the Super League opener against Hull FC and several players stood out to stake their claim for a shirt in the derby.

Individuals on the injury comeback trail are also starting to put pressure on spots and Sheens knows he’s got some tough calls to make in the coming week or so.

Rovers will have a physical session against York on Friday in a last attempt to get up to speed ahead of the FC clash and Sheens says his side still have to fine-tune their defence in time for the derby.

You always have to improve. Last week against Widnes we gave away points around our ruck, this week it was on the edges.

I didn’t have Woody (James Greenwood) playing, he was injured with a back complaint so he’s another one to come in.

Lee Jewitt and Nick Scruton (both shoulder) will be coming back shortly and in a couple of months respectively. I have some headaches which is good.